There has been outrage over the move by MPs to award themselves hefty perks followed by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's rejection of the new pay deal. Writers Beauttah Omanga and Robert Nyasato spoke to Kitutu Masaba MP who doubles as PSC Vice-Chairman Walter Nyambati and Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo on whether they still support the increment.
YES
QUESTION: Do you still support last Wednesday's approval of increased pay for MPs by Parliament?
 |
| Kitutu Masaba MP Walter Nyambati |
 |
| Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo |
ANSWER: Yes I do, but one thing must be made clear: we did not award ourselves a pay rise but only took care of taxation so that MPs are not disadvantaged midway. What is being referred to as increment will all go to tax because the tax level has also gone up.
QUESTION: In rejecting the hefty perks, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta has stated the Budget estimates had exhausted the resource envelop that could be realistically mobilised for the increment. Comment.
ANSWER: We will sit down and talk with the Finance minister on that issue. The door is not closed yet. There will obviously be a way out if genuine talks can be held with the Treasury.
QUESTION: A section of the public claimed MPs are insensitive to the country's economic situation. Do you agree?
ANSWER: No I don't think so. In fact Kenyans are more insensitive to the plight of MPs who attend to at least five functions in a day and in all cases are required to donate money. Until people learn to accept that what MPs earn belongs to them, then the Kenyan legislator will remain exposed. Otherwise if that was the case we can do with even Sh200,000.
QUESTION: The 'No' camp of the referendum felt the rejected increment was meant to bribe MPs to support the 'Yes' camp. What is your view?
ANSWER: It had nothing to do with the 'Yes' camp. The Akiwumi report was out a year ago. MPs are CEOs of their constituencies, but their salaries are not reviewed annually as is the trend with other public officers.
QUESTION: Despite the rejection of the pay deal, Uhuru has indicated there is room for negotiation by Treasury. How do you interpret that?
ANSWER: I take it that it is in good spirit for we have to get a solution. We are ready for negotiation as a Commission and we look forward to it. This is an issue that should be approached with an open mind.
QUESTION: Do you think MPs may gang up to arm-twist Uhuru in Parliament and have their way over the increment?
ANSWER: There is no arm-twisting business here. It is negotiation that will eventually give us a solution. No side is going to arm-twist the other to agree or take a stand without consensus.
QUESTION: Some have argued MPs were in a hurry to award themselves the pay hike because they will lose such powers if the Proposed Constitution goes through, paving way for a Salaries Review Commission. Comment.
ANSWER: We can't stop functioning because we're waiting for the Proposed Constitution to pass. What if it is rejected. Rules of natural justice do not allow an employer to reduce salaries midway and by introducing taxation that is exactly what would happened to MPs' pay.
NO
QUESTION: Do you still support last Wednesday's approval of increased pay for MPs by Parliament?
ANSWER: Legally it is right since an independent body originated it, but morally it cannot stand. I don't support it at all given the country's poor economy. It means Kenyans will have to be taxed more to meet the MPs' increment while the majority go hungry.
QUESTION: In rejecting the hefty perks, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta has stated the Budget estimates had exhausted the resource envelop that could be realistically mobilised for the increment. Comment.
ANSWER: I agree with the minister that he has no other sources from where he will get the money to pay MPs. He should remain firm as the country cannot afford an extra penny for the MPs.
QUESTION: A section of the public claimed MPs are insensitive to the country's economic situation. Do you agree?
ANSWER: Absolutely. There is no way we as MPs will want to add to what we already have while ignoring the plight of Kenyans. We must consider the public's views and ignoring them is going against our employers' wish.
QUESTION: The 'No' camp of the referendum felt the rejected increment was meant to bribe MPs to support the 'Yes' camp. What is your view?
ANSWER: It is true because the Government has declared the Proposed Constitution a Government project and it is possible it can do anything to woo more leaders to its side, including MPs.
QUESTION: Despite the rejection of the pay deal, Uhuru has indicated there is room for negotiation by Treasury. How do you interpret that?
ANSWER: There is nothing to discuss. He should simply stand firm and say a strong No to those pushing him to accept. If there were to be talks and urgently so, then they should be on how to pay teachers with our schools grossly understaffed. Uhuru should also use any money he has to cushion farmers who are likely to incur huge losses due to high production costs.
QUESTION: Do you think MPs may gang up to arm-twist Uhuru in Parliament and have their way over the increment?
ANSWER: If they do, I will not be party to that scheme. I expect MPs who have the interest of this country at heart to say a strong no when the issue comes up again in the House.
QUESTION: Some have argued MPs were in hurry to award themselves a pay hike because they will lose such powers if the Proposed Constitution goes through, paving way for a Salaries Review Commission. Comment.
ANSWER: That will be unfortunate for this country. Those who passed that Motion were not keen on anything but what was on the table at that time. On second thoughts, many have realised they blundered and it has nothing at all to do with the new laws.
NO
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
0 comments:
Post a Comment